s me that grandfather has had a
stroke of paralysis, and lies very ill. Aunt Dinks has, therefore,
resolved to leave on Monday, and I shall go with her. She seems very much
affected, indeed, by the news. Mrs. Simcoe writes that the doctor says
grandfather will hardly live more than a few days, and she wishes you
could go on with us. I know that you have some kind of association with
Pinewood--you have not told me what. In this summer weather you will find
it very beautiful; and you know how glad I shall be to have you for my
guest. My guest, I say; for while grandfather lies so dangerously ill I
must be what my mother would have been--mistress of the house. I shall
hardly feel more lonely than I always did when he was active, for we had
but little intercourse. In case of his death, which I suppose to be very
near, I shall not care to live at the old place. In fact, I do not very
clearly see what I am to do. But there is One who does; and I remember my
dear old nurse's hymn, 'On Thee I cast my care.' Come, if you can.

"Your friend,

"HOPE WAYNE."

Lawrence Newt and Amy walked on for some time in silence. At length Amy
said,

"It is just one of the cases in which it is a pity she is not married or
engaged."

"Isn't that always a pity for a young woman?" asked Lawrence, shooting
entirely away from the subject.

"Theoretically, yes," replied Amy, firmly, "but not actually. It may be
a pity that every woman is not married; but it might be a greater pity
that she should marry any of the men who ask her."

"Of course," said Lawrence Newt, dryly, "if she didn't love him."

"Yes, and sometimes even if she did."

Amy Waring was conscious that her companion looked at her in surprise as
she said this, but she fixed her eyes directly before her, and walked
straight on.

"Oh yes," said Mr. Newt; "I see. You mean when he does not love her."

"No, I mean sometimes even when they do love each other," said the
resolute Amy.

Lawrence Newt was alarmed. "Does she mean to convey to me delicately that
there may be cases of true mutual love where it is better not to marry?"
thought he. "Where, for instance, there is a difference of age perhaps,
or where there has been some other and earlier attachment?"

"I mean," said Amy, as if answering his thoughts, "that there may
sometimes be reasons why even lovers should not marry--reasons which
every noble man and woman understand; and therefore I do not agree
with you that it is al